“From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.”
This first stanza of the United States Marines Corps' hymn already briefly describes what Marines are for, also mentioning two of it's important steps to a 21st century high-tech army.
The Marines are a special unit in many ways. They are a manifold corps which uses all types of modern warfare and technology. In addition to that they enjoy a lot of attention and are extraordinarily often treated in Hollywood or the world-press.
There is much to study in the Marines' 23 decades of existence, but a few moments stand out. These happenings are the historical structure which holds an ethos together. And it is this ethos that distinguishes the Marines from any other army in the world. Only after familiarizing with the history of the USMC it is possible to understand the self-perception of these warriors, which explains their status among the armed forces and their image.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The United States Marines - an unusual unit
- The history of the United States Marine Corps
- 1775-1914
- 1914-2010
- World War I and the years before World War II
- World War II
- Interim: World War II to Vietnam
- The Vietnam War
- Interim: Vietnam to the "War on Terror"
- The "War on Terror"
- The USMC's image
- The USMC as seen by itself
- Symbols and slogans
- The Corps' role within the armed forces
- The USMC as apprehended by the public
- Positive aspects
- Marines as reliable patriots
- Marines in computer games
- Negative aspects
- Notorious massacres and homicides
- Stress and suicides
- Reception in Hollywood
- Positive aspects
- Comparison between the different points of view
- The USMC as seen by itself
- Technichally replacable, symbolistically irreplacable
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text explores the history and image of the United States Marine Corps, examining its development from its founding in 1775 to its role in the 21st century. The text aims to understand the unique ethos of the Marines and how it shapes their self-perception, their position within the armed forces, and their public image.- The evolution of the USMC from its origins to its present-day role.
- The significance of key historical events in shaping the Marine ethos.
- The impact of the USMC's self-perception and its image in popular culture.
- The interplay between the USMC's history, its self-image, and its public reception.
- The role of the USMC as a symbol of American military power and national identity.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The United States Marines - an unusual unit
This chapter introduces the USMC as a unique and multifaceted force, highlighting its use of modern warfare technologies and its prominent presence in popular culture. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the USMC's history to grasp its distinctive ethos.The history of the United States Marine Corps
1775-1914
This section traces the early history of the USMC, from its founding during the American Revolution to its involvement in the Barbary Wars and the Mexican-American War. It highlights the development of the Marine ethos, characterized by its commitment to fighting for American interests overseas.1914-2010
This section examines the USMC's role in World War I, its involvement in post-war conflicts, and its expansion during the Vietnam War. It explores the impact of these events on the Corps' training, operations, and self-image.The USMC's image
The USMC as seen by itself
This section focuses on the USMC's self-representation through symbols, slogans, and its perceived role within the armed forces. It examines the key elements that contribute to the Marines' sense of identity.The USMC as apprehended by the public
This section delves into the USMC's public image, exploring both positive and negative perceptions. It examines how the Marines are portrayed in popular culture, including their representation in computer games and Hollywood films.Technichally replacable, symbolistically irreplacable
This chapter examines the complex relationship between the USMC's technological capabilities and its symbolic significance. It explores the notion that while the USMC may be technologically replaceable, its symbolic role as a representation of American military strength and national identity remains irreplaceable.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The text focuses on the USMC's history, ethos, self-perception, and public image. Key terms include: American Revolution, Barbary Wars, Mexican-American War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, "War on Terror", symbols, slogans, popular culture, computer games, Hollywood films, national identity, military power, ethos, self-perception, public image.- Quote paper
- Andreas Herdt (Author), 2010, The U.S. Marines - an inquiry into their history and image, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/174630
